This would be the year he’d learn to swim.
Getting my toddler ready for his first day of lessons, I calmly met each anxious question.
Thing is, with a pool in our backyard and summer highs hitting triple digits, learning to swim was a necessity.
As I walked him to the pool, I convinced him enough just to sit at the pool’s edge with his classmates.
The instructor started slowly – teaching the kids to blow bubbles at the surface and progressing to skim boards powered by energetic kicking. Finally, one by one, she took each toddler underwater as they held their breath.
Matt took one look and ran – past me and out the gate.
I knew his fears were unfounded. As a parent, it was so easy to see that he could do this. In fact, if he could get past his fear, he’d actually love it.
But his fear stopped him from seeing any of that.
Finally, one evening, I got in our pool with him. I held him tight and reassured him that I’d go underwater with him.
“Ready. Set. Go!” We sucked in our breath and ducked underwater and then back up.
See? You did it. Again and again, down and up, down and up, me holding him underwater and then back up together, Matt learned there was nothing to fear. In fact, he actually liked it.
Most of us have fears that keep us just as paralyzed. We hold onto anxieties of what-if’s as we sit on the edge of unknown tomorrows.
Some of my fears are those tasks that seem impossible — so far outside my comfort zone I don’t even know where to start.
Some of my fears stem from things outside of my control. Will the economy tank? Will something happen to my health?
I have fears regarding my children. What kind of choices will they make out on their own? Will she be okay driving home on the interstate?
Even when I step out in faith, I’m surprised at the fear I can often take along with me, wondering whether it will all pan out.
We may live in a world of unknowns but God does not intend for us to walk through it scared.
But you did not receive the spirit of bondage again to fear but you received the spirit of adoption by whom we cry out, “Abba. Father.”
Fear keeps us bound up — sidelined so that we never take the plunge God has for us. It keeps us wrapped up so tight we’re unable to freely and fully live out our days.
Fear takes up residence in places where peace and joy belong.
But how? How to root out the fearful thoughts, the angst that awakens and settles in the dark hours, the paralysis that would keep us stuck on the edge?
We can trust His love.
There is no fear in love, but perfect love drives out fear. 1 John 4:18
The opposite of fear is not faith. The opposite of fear is love.
Only when Perfect Love has come into every corner of our thoughts and emotions and tomorrows can we realize there is no room left for fear.
And so we wrap ourselves in God’s perfect love rather than wracking ourselves with unproven fear.
Living enough years gives perspective to look back and see: not one of those fears that I ever conjured up has come to be.
Interestingly, the one thing I never, ever thought would happen – never gave it a thought or had one second of fear over – has happened.
And yet, even in this, God has held us tight. Even as it’s ushered in all new fears, God pulls me to Him, to allow His Perfect Love to crowd out any space for fear.
We can trust His love.
I’m happy to help Kelly Balarie, from Purposeful Faith, launch her book Fear Fighting, how to cultivate faith through God’s Word to usher in peace and fight fear. #fearfightingbook
Sherry says
I voted and I think it would be a wonderful experience for you too.
Lisa Appelo says
Thank you so, so much, Sherry.
Christy Mobley says
Voted!
Lisa Appelo says
Thank you friend! I appreciate you.
Karen Sanchez says
This is so timely for me. Just yesterday I was googling Christian books dealing with anxiety and fear. Beautifully written- thank you! I voted for you!
Lucille Rafidi says
I voted for you!
– Lucille
Brian VanDuyn says
52
Brian VanDuyn says
Ok, I went to the correct page and posted it.
Maury says
I voted for you! Praying for you !
Allison Wilson Lee says
How exciting to have such an opportunity! So glad I got on Facebook today to see your post–and to read this story. “The opposite of fear is love.” That’s some good food for thought. Best wishes in the contest! p.s. I voted for you. 🙂
Sandie Whittaker says
I voted as well 🙂
Allison Moore says
Such truth ♡ Thank you, and I voted
Keri McCue says
“We hold onto anxieties of what-if’s as we sit on the edge of unknown tomorrows.” – Oh my goodness gracious, this hit me right in the gut. I never thought of myself as a worrier but in the last year or two God has been revealing to me how much fear I carry around. I needed these words, “Fear takes up residence in places where peace and joy belong.”
Lisa Appelo says
I think my reply was lost. I had said that I didn’t think I was fearful either until the rug was pulled out from under us and I suddenly felt so vulnerable. Even in this, God has been faithful. Thank you, Keri!